Toy track



Mach 6, 1934., L, Q KELLEY 1,949,720

- TOY TRACK Filed Dec. 8, 1931 125/9112 C. Kai mg" A TTORNE YS.

INVENTOR 4 Patented Mar. 6, 1934 UNETED s'mrss NT OFFIC 2 Claims.

This invention relates generally to tracks for use in conjunction with toy railways.

It is a general object of the invention to devise a toy track which can be readily bent to different curvatures, without aiiecting proper spacing between the track elements.

It is a further object of the invention to devise a toy track which can be readily and cheaply manufactured from simple parts.

Further objects of this invention will appear from the following description in which the preferred embodiment of the invention has been set forth in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawing. It is to be understood that the invention as defined by the appended claims, is to be accorded a range of equivalents consistent with the state of the prior art.

Referring to the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a plan view, illustrating a toy track incorporating the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary detail, looking toward one end of one of the cross ties incorporated in ny track.

Fig. 3 is a cross sectional detail taken along the line 33 of Fig. l.

The invention as illustrated in the drawing consists of a pair of elongated track elements 10, which are engaged by spaced cross-ties 11. An additional track element 12 can be provided if desired, to serve as one conductor for an electrical circuit.

As appears more clearly from Figs. 2 and 3, each of the track elements consists of upper and lower bead-like edge portions 13 and 14. These edge portions are joined together by a web portion 16. In order to form an interlocking engagement between the cross-ties 11 and the track elements, each cross-tie is provided with properly spaced slots 17 to receive the track elements. As appears in Fig. 3, the bottom portion of each slot 17 is enlarged to accommodate the lower headlike edges 14, while the upper portion of each slot is merely of sufiicient width to accommoda web portion 16.

It is desirable to form the track elements of solid metal, such as steel, so that these elements can be readily flexed laterally to different curvatures. While various materials can be utilized for the manufacture of the cross-ties, these parts can be conveniently made of suitable wood.

In practice, it is preferable to manufacture my track in a plurality of sections or lengths, which can be connected together in end-to-end relationship by use of suitable coupling means. In assembling a single section of track, the cross-ties are engaged with track elements of suitable length, the engagement being first established with the end of the track. elements, after which the ties are thenslid longitudinally of the elements and positioned in suitable spaced relationship. After such a track section is assembled, it

is possible to readily flex the track to difierent curvatures, as for example the curvature illustrated in dotted lines in Fig. 1. In so flexing the track, a certain amount of longitudinal slippage 5 occurs between the cross ties and the track elements, so that upon establishing a desired curvature, each tie takes a position radial to the curvature adjacent the same. The engagement between the cross-ties and the track'elements ordii0 narily afiords sufiicient friction against longitudinal slippage, as to cause the track to retain a given curvature, within reasonable limits.

The utility and extreme simplicity of the invention will be appreciated from the .ioregoing tit description. No especial attaching means, other than the interlocking engagement, need be em= ployed for retaining the cross ties upon the-track elements. The track elements are interchangeable, in that they can all be duplicates, and in that either the upper or lower edges of the same can be engaged with the cross tics. Furthermore,*the construction is relatively sturdy and the proper lateral spacing of the track elements will be retained for difierent curvatures to which the track may be bent.

I claim:

1. In a toy railway track, elongated track elements capable of lateral flexing, said elements each having a lower edge of eniarged thickness and substantially circular in transverse cross section, and cross-ties adapted to interlock with the lower edges of said track elements and capable of slippage longitudinally thereof.

2. In a toy railway track, a pair of elongated strip-like track elements capable of lateral flexing, each of said elements having enlarged upper and lower longitudinal edge portions substantially circular in transverse cross section and connected by an intermediate web, and cross-ties connecting. said elements, said cross-ties being provided with slots to receive said trackelements, each of said slots having an upper portion of such width as to accommodate the web of a track element and a lower enlarged substantially circular portion to accommodate a lower edge portion of the some element.

LESLIE C. KELLEY. 

